ADDIS ABABA: An anti-gay organization that held a recent workshop on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues in Ethiopia is reporting that the death penalty against gay people in Ethiopia may be on the horizon. The workshop reportedly looked with the social ‘evils' and ‘disastrous' effects of homosexuality in Ethiopia, and was led by United for Life Ethiopia, a Western Evangelical Christian organization with local representation. Government officials, religious leaders, leading heath professionals, charities and members of the public attended the event at the Bethel Teaching Hospital in Addis Ababa, last week. In the workshop police alleged ‘homosexual family members and neighbors' have sexually abused 117 boys last year. It comes on the heels of much antagonism toward the LGBT community in Ethiopia. An article recently published by Bikyanews.com has received virulent anti-gay sentiments from users inside the country. A number of comments and angry emails have been flowing in that call for the death of Ethiopia's small lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. “kill them all these rubbish people ,the country never allowed this kind of community," one comment at the end of the article stated. In yet another, a user linked anti-LGBT sentiment to the Bible in claiming that Ethiopia's LGBT community should leave the country or face reprisals. “No the same sex marriage in Ethiopia because that is the historical and Christianity country so that is the better thing ...in the bible also not allow to be same sex marriage it is a big sin ..sorry for you guys who is the gay ppls ...shame on you ...also," it read. The article detailed a young man who was hopeful that Ethiopians were becoming more accepting and open to the gay community, but the comments show that there remains a staunch anti-LGBT sentiment in the East African country. “Sometimes you just can get around those types of people," David Emete, the man featured in the article, told Bikyanews.com after seeing the comments. “If they don't understand or meet gay people, they won't know better." But the community as a whole seemed bent on attacking LGBT people. “Our community dont tolerate such disgusting practice, if you want to be a gay then please leave our country and practice where ever fits your bulshit place," wrote another comment. BN
